Watt Matters Podcast

Pinnacle Performance x NOCSportsScience
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All things cycling, coaching, and sport science, presented by Pinnacle Performance Cycling Coaching, and NOC Sports Science. Watt Matters addresses all aspects of sports performance — mixing credible insights with light hearted discussion, special guests, and stories from inside the sport.

Episodes

  1. Threshold Training | Watt Matters

    2D AGO

    Threshold Training | Watt Matters

    Threshold Training | Watt Matters In this episode of the Watt Matters Podcast, we take a deep dive into one of the most talked about concepts in endurance performance  - threshold training. We discuss the physiology behind what “threshold” actually is, why it matters in cycling performance, and how coaches and athletes attempt to identify and train it in the real world. We also dive into the training sessions we use to improve threshold, and the rationale behind how and why they are prescribed. The conversation explores the different ways threshold can be tested, both in the lab and out in the field, and why these methods can often produce different results depending on how they are measured. We talk through why understanding those differences matters, how test interpretation influences training prescription, and why threshold should always be viewed with context rather than treated as a single fixed number. A practical and applied conversation around one of the foundations of endurance coaching and performance. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:57 What Is Threshold? 07:12 Testing Methods for Threshold 17:16 Field Testing and Practical Applications 23:32 Understanding Critical Power and W Prime 26:39 Individualised Training Prescription 31:02 The Importance of Threshold Training 35:44 Riding by Feel vs. Power Metrics Watch on YouTube 📺Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 @wattmatterspodcast@nocsportsscience | @pinnacleperformancecc https://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/

    38 min
  2. Dave Sanders: The Evolution of Coaching and Performance | Watt Matters

    APR 28

    Dave Sanders: The Evolution of Coaching and Performance | Watt Matters

    Episode 7 - Dave Sanders: The Evolution of Cycling Coaching and Performance 💥📈 In Episode 7, we sit down with one of the most influential and prolific figures in Australian cycling coaching - Dave Sanders. Dave has spent over 25 years coaching cyclists across Australia and internationally, including time as Head Coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport and working with teams such as Orica–GreenEDGE. Along the way, he has helped shape the careers of generational riders including Cadel Evans, Simon Gerrans, Simon Clarke, and countless other national and international champions. Having raced himself in the 1970s before moving into coaching through the 1980s, 90s, and into the modern era, Dave has remained at the forefront of performance through the rise of sport science, power meters, and modern coaching technology. Few people have witnessed the evolution of cycling and coaching as closely as Dave. In this episode, we dive into how the sport has changed, what principles have stood the test of time, where coaching — and cycling more broadly — may be heading next, and hear some brilliant war stories from decades spent working with athletes across an ever-changing sporting landscape. From old-school training methods to modern sport science, psychology versus physiology, technology’s impact on coaching, and the importance of collaboration - this is a fascinating conversation packed with wisdom, perspective, and great history from one of the most influential Australian cycling coaches of the past three decades.  Watch on YouTube 📺 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 @wattmatterspodcast @pinnacleperformancecc | @nocsportsscience https://nocsportsscience.com/ https://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/ Chapters 00:00 – 02:00 | Introduction  02:00 – 12:00 | Dave’s Track and Road Racing History  12:00 – 20:00 | Change in Cycling - Then vs Now 20:00 – 26:00 | The Future of the Sport 26:00 – 29:00 | How Dave Started Coaching 29:00 – 32:00 | Beginning at the Victorian Institute of Sport 32:00 – 39:00 | Sport Science & Coaching in the 90s / Early 2000s 39:00 – 43:00 | Psychology vs Physiology in Sport 43:00 – 51:00 | Power Meters & Technology in Cycling Coaching 51:00 – 1:04:00 | Dave’s “Common Sense” & Timeless Training Principles 1:04:00 – 1:09:00 | What Has Changed Most Over 25 Years of Coaching? 1:09:00 – 1:13:30 | The Importance of Collaboration 1:13:30 – 1:17:00 | Innovation & The Constantly Changing Landscape 1:17:00 – 1:29:30 | Listener Questions 1:29:30 – 1:33:13 | Wrap Up

    1h 33m
  3. Alyssa Polites | Watt Matters

    APR 8

    Alyssa Polites | Watt Matters

    In Episode 6, we sit down with one of Australia’s most exciting road and track cyclists - Alyssa Polites. Alyssa takes us through her journey from a standout junior to signing as a professional at a young age with Team Jayco Alula, and the realities that come with stepping into the WorldTour early. We dive into the challenges of navigating high expectations, setbacks, and the mental demands of elite sport - before shifting into her current phase: a focused rebuild, balancing both track and road with the Australian Cycling Team and Meridian Bikebug Continental Team, while working toward a return to the top level of the sport. With Alyssa coached by Nick over the past 18 months, this episode gives a unique look into both the athlete and coaches perspective - covering training, periodisation, dual-discipline demands, and what it really takes to progress in modern cycling. We also get a clear insight into Alyssa’s values, goals, and advice for young Australian riders coming through the sport. A grounded, honest conversation about performance, pressure, and building back toward the top, from one of Australia's top talents - this episode is not to be missed. Watch on YouTube 📺 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 @wattmatterspodcast @nocsportsscience | @pinnacleperformancecc https://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/ https://nocsportsscience.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Welcome Back and Summer Reflections 03:20 Introducing Alyssa Polites 04:29 Alyssa's Journey in Cycling 06:45 Transitioning to Professional Cycling 09:45 Overcoming Challenges As A Young Professional 12:09 The Importance of Mental Resilience 18:38 Looking Back On Early Career Learnings 21:00 Coaching Track vs Road 25:29 Recent Achievements and Future Goals 33:23 The Reality of Periodising Training In A Busy Calendar 38:00 The 2026 Season So Far 44:30 Managing Dual Disciplines: Track and Road Cycling 47:45 Future Aspirations / What’s Next? 50:52 Listener Instagram Q+A

    56 min

  4. MAR 4

    The Story Behind Our Coaching Companies | Watt Matters

    In Episode 5 we take a step back from training theory and dive into the story behind our coaching careers and businesses. Nick, Jack, and Dylan talk through how each of us entered the sport science and coaching world - from early internships and time spent at institutes, to the lessons learned working across different sports. We discuss the realities of building a career in cycling performance, the challenges within the coaching industry, and how NOC Sports Science and Pinnacle Performance were created from the ground up. The conversation covers the early risks of starting a coaching business, different approaches to coaching, and why collaboration between coaches is so important for athlete development. Watch on YouTube 📺Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 @wattmatterspodcast@nocsportsscience | @pinnacleperformancecc https://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/https://nocsportsscience.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Podcast Update01:55 Breaking into the Sports Science Industry03:44 Journey into Sports Science and Coaching07:04 Internship Experiences and Career Development12:53 Day-to-Day Life at the VIS16:08 Innovations in Other Sports18:43 Challenges in Cycling Coaching20:15 Starting NOC25:12 The Shift Towards In-House Coaching29:54 Pinnacle Performance – Starting From Scratch43:54 Creating a Collaborative Coaching Environment49:35 Advice for Aspiring Coaches

    52 min
  5. Ruby Roseman-Gannon | Watt Matters

    FEB 5

    Ruby Roseman-Gannon | Watt Matters

    Episode 4 – Ruby Roseman-Gannon 🔥 A great chat with one of Australian cycling’s most successful athletes, covering everything from longevity in the sport to specific training for the Australian summer. It was great to discuss Ruby’s journey in the sport, as well as her more recent training and racing. Our first guest of 2026 - and also one coached by @nocsportsscience. We thoroughly enjoyed getting both a coach’s and an athlete’s perspective on performance. Watch on YouTube 📺 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 @pinnacleperformancecc | @nocsportsscience Reach us at - / @wattmatterspodcast https://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/https://nocsportsscience.com/

    46 min

  6. 12/08/2025

    Tour of Bright with Matthew Keenan | Watt Matters

    In our third episode, we sit down with Australia's most recognisable voice in cycling - Matthew Keenan - live from the Tour of Bright. We dive straight into the heart of the weekend: why Bright has become one of the biggest proving grounds in Australian cycling, how the level has evolved, and what makes this event such a powerful snapshot of the sport’s future. From there, the conversation explores junior development, talent identification, and the increasing pressure placed on young riders. Keeno also takes us inside his own journey - from racing in the 90s, to eventually becoming the global broadcast voice of the Tour de France. His insights into commentary craft, storytelling, and the responsibility of calling career-defining moments make this a great chat with some very unique perspectives. Reach us at –@wattmatterspodcasthttps://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/https://nocsportsscience.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Tour of Bright03:14 The Evolution of Cycling Events05:40 Identifying Future Talent08:59 The Pressure For Youth in Cycling11:45 Tour of Bright History15:02 The Role of Coaching in Cycling Development17:41 Keeno’s Cycling Career20:47 The Journey into Commentary38:45 Crafting the Perfect Commentary43:50 Catering For The Audience48:19 The Emotional Connection in Commentary51:06 Looking To The Future

    1 hr

  7. 12/01/2025

    Planning Training Phases | Watt Matters

    In Episode 2 we continue straight on from our first episode on season planning, and dig deeper into how we plan out training phases, and the importance of doing so.Using real world examples, we run through the science and art of mapping out training at different times of the year for different types of athletes.Leave us a comment, or get in touch!Reach us at:@wattmatterspodcast   / @wattmatterspodcast  https://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/https://nocsportsscience.com/---------------------------------------- CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction02:09 Current Events04:25 The Importance of Training Phases07:21 Structuring Training Blocks11:12 General Preparation Phase Insights15:30 Monitoring Training Load and Adaptation20:40 Empowering Athletes with Knowledge26:26 Transitioning to Build Phase Training28:09 Race Preparation Strategies32:19 The Importance of Training Phases33:38 Heat and Altitude Training40:10 Real-World Training Examples47:36 Balancing Training and Racing53:25 Key Takeaways and Future Directions

    54 min
  8. Planning Training Phases | Watt Matters

    11/23/2025

    Planning Training Phases | Watt Matters

    In Episode 2 we continue straight on from our first episode on season planning, and dig deeper into how we plan out training phases, and the importance of doing so. Using real world examples, we run through the science and art of mapping out training at different times of the year for different types of athletes. Leave us a comment, or get in touch! Reach us at: @wattmatterspodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCskLdbGVbscqcJSb_s1fQowhttps://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/https://nocsportsscience.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:09 Current Events 04:25 The Importance of Training Phases 07:21 Structuring Training Blocks 11:12 General Preparation Phase Insights 15:30 Monitoring Training Load and Adaptation 20:40 Empowering Athletes with Knowledge 26:26 Transitioning to Build Phase Training 28:09 Race Preparation Strategies 32:19 The Importance of Training Phases 33:38 Heat and Altitude Training 40:10 Real-World Training Examples 47:36 Balancing Training and Racing 53:25 Key Takeaways and Future Directions

    54 min
  9. Planning A Season | Watt Matters

    11/09/2025

    Planning A Season | Watt Matters

    In our first episode, we kick off Watt Matters with a chat about who we are, how this podcast came together, and what we’re trying to bring to the world of cycling performance and coaching. Nick, Jack, and Dylan talk through how 2025 has unfolded - and the evolving demands of coaching in this modern era. For topic number one, we then dive into how we’re thinking about 2026, and the importance of designing an annual plan based on our athletes' goals. It’s a mix of honest reflections, sport science insight, and the kind of conversation we usually have behind the scenes - this time with mics on. We are super excited to bring this project together. Reach us at - @wattmatterspodcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCskLdbGVbscqcJSb_s1fQow https://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/ https://nocsportsscience.com/ 00:00 - Introduction to Watt Matters Podcast 01:36 - Meet the Coaches 04:33 - Changing Dynamics of Coaching: Experiences and Insights 09:14 - 2025 Coaching Highlights and Achievements 17:29 - Planning for 2026: Annual Training Plans and Goals 25:18 - Setting Goals: Performance vs. Process Goals 28:37 - Understanding Athlete Physiology and Performance 30:04 - Athlete Profiling 36:39 - Goal Setting and Performance Modelling 42:09 - Realistic Goal Setting and Training Phases 47:43 - Navigating the Australian Cycling Season 52:59 - The Importance of Communication in Coaching 57:19 - Wrap Up and What's To Come

    57 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

All things cycling, coaching, and sport science, presented by Pinnacle Performance Cycling Coaching, and NOC Sports Science. Watt Matters addresses all aspects of sports performance — mixing credible insights with light hearted discussion, special guests, and stories from inside the sport.

Information

  • Creator
    Pinnacle Performance x NOCSportsScience
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pinnacle Performance x NOCSportsScience
  • Show Website
    Watt Matters Podcast

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